Improved pneumatic alarm and protection apparatus for safes and the like



Oct. 9, 1962 G. PRETIN! 3,057,321

IMPROVED PNEUMATIC ALARM AND PROTECTION APPARATUS FOR SAFES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 13, 1960 L I o 1 llul 1545 42 T sPA El Arr, i

United States Patent Ofiice 3,057,321 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 IMPROVED PNEUMATIC ALARM AND PROTEC- TlON APPARATUS FOR SAFES AND THE LIKE Gisberto Pretini, Pisa, Italy, assignor of one-half to Compagnia ltaliana Westinghouse Freni & Segnali, Turin,

Italy, a corporation of ltaiy Filed Sept. 13, 1960, Ser. No. 55,788 Claims priority, application Italy Sept. 24, 1959 5 Claims. (Cl. 116-65) The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and compact alarm and protection apparatus or device arranged to be automatically placed in operational condition on closing the door of a safe or the like.

With the foregoing object in view apparatus in accordance with the invention, comprises in a safe or vault having a chamber for valuables, means for supplying a continuous pressurized fluid to the chamber, a supply conduit, provided with a primary relay valve connected to a control element, and leading to the chamber a pneumatic grid following the primary valve and supplied by tanks connected the main conduit, an electro-pneumatic valve inserted in the grid and connected with a time adjustment unit designed to activate or deactivate, through a control, the entire apparatus for a predetermined length of time, an acoustic alarm device and a protection device or assembly, controlled by the pneumatic grid by means of relay valves, and designed to, operate automatically when the operating pressure in the apparatus is unbalanced.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double wall safe, part being broken away.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a safe including a central portion 3 containing the protection chamber 4 and closed. The safe has a door 5; by a lower portion or base 6, in which is disposed a box 7, containing the apparatus and associated connection conduits included in the dotted line square 8 of FIG. 2.

The pressurised tfluid feeding the pneumatic system of the apparatus is supplied through the connection 9, while a power inlet 10, connected to an external power source, not shown, supplies the electrical circuit of an electropneumatic section of the system which will be described hereinafter. The safe has an upper closed portion 12. The pneumatic equipment and the associated compressed air tanks enclosed in the dotted line rectangle 13 in FIG. 2, is located inside the closed upper portion 12 of the safe. An alarm siren 51, included in the above-mentioned equipment, and protected against external handling is located in an acoustic compartment 14 open to the atmosphere.

The external protective casing of the safe and cover is formed by a double wall 15, 15' between which is a continuous sealed space or chamber 16, which may be supplied by pressurized fluid, as will be made clear in the following description.

On a stationary upright wall 52 of the safe, is pivoted an access door 5, to chamber 4. On the forward edge of wall 52 there is mounted a button valve 17, mechanically controlled by the closure and opening movement of the door 5.

One or more gas outlet nozzles 48 are provided in the box 7, the gas being supplied by one or more bottles of gas.

A control cylinder 19, located in the chamber 4, is mechanically connected through a suitable piston shaft or plunger 18 to the inner panel of the door 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates diagrammatically protection and alarm means contained in the interior of the safe.

It will be noted that there is substantially no external piping, except the pipe 9 connected to a suitable source of pressurized fluid, not indicated in the drawing, and leading to the pipe coupling 9.

It is important to note here that when the system is assembled, the subsequent destruction of this single external pipe 9 will cause determines the automatic opera tion of the alarm device.

The pressurized fluid which is supplied to the pipe coupling 9' through the associated feed or supply conduit 9, arrives at the primary pneumatic relay valve 20. A branch 9" of the pipe is connected to a manually controlled reset valve 21.

A second conduit 22 starting from the valve 20 leads through the branch 23 and a one-way valve 24 having a by-pass 24' with a fine bore, to an electro-pneumatic valve 25. A branch 23', of the conduit 23 is connected to one end of a double check valve 26. The opposite end of the valve 26 is connected to the reset valve 21 by a conduit 27, while a central connection is connected to the control space of the valve 20 by a conduit 28.

The conduit 23 is also connected to one end of a control cylinder 29, which through a lever system 30, can activate or deactivate a protection means including one or more bottles 31 of smoke or tear gas.

An additional conduit 23", branched oif from the condut 23, leads to a second relay valve 32. A branch 23" of the conduit 23" is connected to the control space of valve 32.

A third conduit 33 starts from the valve 20 and is connected by a flexible pipe 34, to the operative space of the cylinder 19, which controls the closure of the door 5 of the safe. (See also FIG. 1.)

A fourth conduit 35 leading from a fluid feed tank 36 is connected to the valve 20.

The valve 32 is connected directly by a conduit 37 to a tank 38, while another conduit 39 connects the valve 32 to a branch 39' at an intermediate point upstream of two one-way check valves 40 and 41, respectively in br-anch 39. Branch 39 supplies fluid to tanks 36 and 38 via valves 40 and 41, respectively.

Another conduit 50, starting from the valve 32, leads to the alarm siren 51.

The electro pneumatic valve 25 is connected by a pneumatic conduit 42 to the space 16 surrounding between walls 15, 15 of the safe. A branch 42 of the conduit 42 leads to the button valve 17, mechanically actuated by the door 5, as above described.

The valve 25 is furthermore electrically connected to a clock operated switch 45 by means of a switch cont-act 46, inserted in series in an energizing and de-energizing circuit of the valve formed by the conductors 43 and 47, both connected to the power inlet 10.

The clock operated switch 45 has the function of keeping the alarm device deactivated for a predetermined period of time, variable at will (closure position of the con-tact 46 and energization of the valve 25) and activated at other times (opening position of the contact 46 and deactivation of the valve 25) with subsequent automatic deactivation (the contact 46 again closed) at a predetermined hour. Then one may freely open the door of the safe without actuation of the alarm device which has been previously automatically deactivated.

The operation of the equipment described is as follows:

Loading and Reset Operation In order to feed the pneumatic system it is necessary first of all to energize the electro-valve 25 by closing the contact 46 controlled by the switch 45.

The valve 25 will take the position indicated in FIG. 2, i.e. the position of isolation of the conduit 23 and the disa charge position of the conduit 42 and the spaces connected through the escapement connection SCl.

Subsequently, with the door open, the reset valve 21 is manually operated. The valve is located in an accessible position in the interior of the safe, in such a manner as to establish communication between the feed conduit 9" and the conduit 27 isolating at the same time the latter from the discharge or drain SC2.

The pressurized fluid is thus supplied to one end of the double check valve 26 and passes through the associated central conduit 28 into the control space of the primary relay valve 20 which is thus actuated in such a manner as to establish a direct communication between the feed conduit 9 and the conduit 22, isolating the conduit 35 and on the contrary connecting to discharge, through the associated escapement connection 8C3 the conduit-s 33, 33 and consequently the operating spaces of the apparatus connected to said conduits.

Simultaneously, the pressurized fluid admitted into the conduit 22 passes into the conduit 23, then arrives at the left end of the control cylinder 29 locating it in the deactivation position of the bottle or bottles 31.

The compressed air passing through conduit 23 and the calibrated bore in by-pass 24 of the check valve 24 arrives at the opposite end of the double check valve 26, then supplying the control space of the valve 20 again, through the conduit 28.

The pressurized fluid is also supplied to the electropneumatic valve 25 which on being energized cuts oif communication between the conduit 23 and the conduit 42 which is now connected to discharge and consequently also to the space 16 of the safe.

Through the branches 23" and 23", of the conduit 23 the compressed air also arrives at a connection of the valve 32 and into the control space of the latter which is thus actuated in such a manner as to establish a direct communication between the pressure conduit 23" and the associated conduit 39, isolating or separating the conduit 37 and discharging into the atmosphere through the escapement conduit 504 the conduit 50 leading to the alarm siren 51.

The air under pressure admitted into the conduit 39 thus feeds, through the branch 39' and the check valve 41, the tank 38 designed to supply the compressed air for the actuation of thesiren 51 and to supply through the check valve 40 the tank 36 supplying the compressed air required 'for the operation of the control cylinder 19.

The two check valves 40, 41 prevent any compressed air leakages from the respective tanks in the event of any breakdown of the associated feed conduits, upstream each valve.

It will be noted that, in the described stage of the reset operation, the tank 38 feeds, through the conduit 37, the valve 32 which, however, is now located in the isolation position of this conduit and the discharge position of the conduit 50 which leads to the siren 51, since the movable unit of valve 32 is in a lowered position by reason of the pressure simultaneously introduced into the associated control space through the conduit 23".

The tank 36 in turn feeds through the conduit 35 the primary relay valve 20 which, however, is located in the isolation position of this conduit and the discharge position of the cylinder 19 by effect of the pressure introduced simultaneously into the associated control space through the conduit 28 in the manner above described.

It is here necessary to note that in the aforesaid loading conditions of the equipment the control lever of the reset valve 21 may be released and will consequently regain the position illustrated in FIG. 2 i.e. the position of discharge through outlet SC2 of the conduit 27 which connects valve 21 to one end of the double check valve 26.

This will not cause any change in the pneumatic system since the primary valve 20 is kept in the described feed position of the conduit 22 and branches connected from the above described auxiliary auto-energizing pneui matic circuit through the by-pass 24 of the check valve 24, the conduit 23' and the connected end of the double check valve 26, opposite to the end connected to the conduit 27, now being discharged.

It is now possible to close the door 5 to set button valve '17 in the isolating position from the discharge SCS of the conduit 42, 42.

The space '16 is not supplied with compressed air, since the associated feed conduit 42 is still connected to escapement through the discharge outlet SCI of the energized electropneumatic valve 25.

It is thus now necessary to de-energize the valve 25. For this purpose the clock operated switch 45 which is located in the interior of the safe, should be appropriately adjusted in order automatically to open the associated contact 46 after a short predetermined period of time, before closing the door 5.

The automatic opening of the contact 46 and the consequent de-enengisation of the electro-valve 25 may be indicated for instance by the illumination of a warning lamp (not shown) or other externally visible indicator.

From this moment, the system is completely reset since the conduit 23, through the communication now established by the de-energised valve 25 supplies the conduit 42 and thus the space 16 surrounding the inner wall 15 safe.

means provided as will be clearly explained hereafter.

Examples of the Automatic Activation of the Alarm System Upon Unauthorised Opening of the Safe Door An attempt at opening, through breaking, oxygen flame or the like, of the door 5 to obtain unauthorised access to the interior of the safe will now be considered.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening of the door, with the pro-loaded system, mechanically actuates the button valve 17 which places the conduit 42', '42 in the posi tion of discharge into the atmosphere.

Consequently, there will take place immediate discharge of the pressure present in the control space of the primary valve 20 via the conduit 28, left hand end of the double check valve 26, the conduits 23' and 23 connected to the conduits 42, 42' through the communication established by the de-energised electropneumatic valve 25. Simultaneously also the control space of the valve 32 is connected to discharge through the above described path through the associated conduit 23", 23", the latter being connected to the conduit 23, now being discharged.

The discharge of the aforesaid control spaces is immediate notwithstanding the conduit 9 supplies said conduits with air under pressure, since a pressure differential is created upstream and downstream of the check valve 24. Since by-pass 24' has a restricted bore and a relatively small capacity, it will not rapidly resupply air under pressure in a suflicient quantity to said control spaces which discharge into the atmosphere through the valve outlets, each of which has a cross section much greater than the push button valve 17.

It should here be noted that the pressure in the tanks 36 and 38 is prevented by the respective check valves 40 and 41 from escaping into the atmosphere through the associated feed conduit 39 which is now connected to dischange through the escapement connection 804 of the valve 32.

The discharge of the pressure into the control space of each of the two valves 20 and 32 thus allows these two valves to return to the alarm position, illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the valve 20 establishes communication between the conduit 35, supplied by the tank 36, and the conduit 33 leading to the cylinder 19 which provides for the automatic closure of the door 5.

Furthermore, the pressurised fluid passes through the branch 33' into the right hand end of the small cylinder 29 which is thus actuated in such a manner as to activate the bottle or bottles 31, which through the respective The equipment will thus be arranged in readiness for the operation of the acoustic signals and protection outlet nozzles 48, in the lower section of the safe are directed on to unauthorized person opening the safe.

The arrival of the pressurised fluid through the conduit 9 is simultaneously isolated while the conduit 22 and the associated branches 23, 23', 23", 23", are again connected to escapement through the outlet 8C3 of the valve 20.

The valve 32 on the contrary establishes communication between the feed tank 38, to which it is connected by the conduit 37, and the conduit 50, thus actuating the alarm siren 51.

Drilling Through the Wall of the Safe Activation and Deactivation f the Alarm System by the Clock Operated Switch As already described, the activation of the alarm system is subordinated to the de-energising of the electropneumatic valve 25 through the opening of the contact 46 controlled by the switch 45 for a predetermined time.

Under this condition, subsequent to the actuation of the lever reset valve 21 and the closure of the door of the safe, the system is completely reset and ready to operate on the occurrence of any unbalanced pressure such as is produced in the above indicated cases. The deactivation of the system is subordinated to the energising of the electro-pneumatic valve 25 through the closure of the contact 46 which automatically takes place at a predetermined time which is fixed by the adjustment of the clock in switch 45. When the valve 25 is energized, the conduit 23 is isolated while the conduit 42, 42' and the space 16 are connected to discharge into the atmosphere through the outlet SCI of the aforesaid valve. Under these conditions the safe door 5 can be freely opened. The consequent communication of the conduit 42, 42 through the outlet SCI of the push button valve 17 will not determine any change in the system now deactivated by the valve 25, which in this position isolates the conduit 23 from discharge. summarising, the switch 45 optionally controls the connection and disconnection of the alarm system with a completely automatic action, deactivating or activating electrically the electropneumatic valve 25, as described. Warning of the energisation or de-energisation of the electro-pneumatic valve 25 can be given externally by the illumination or extinction of a warning lamp or the like. It is to be noted that in the case of a sudden interruption of the electric power source which supplies the circuit of the aforesaid valve 25, this will be automatically placed in the de-energisation position, that is, the system will be reset for actuation of the alarm.

Obviously, the invention is not to be considered as restricted to the embodiment illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, which embodiment can be varied and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

For example, with suitable modifications, similar equipment can be provided for a system operating under vacuum instead of under pressure as described.

What I claim is:

1. In a safe having joined spaced Walls enclosing an air space therebetween and a door carried by said walls and providing access to a chamber defined by said walls, an alarm and protection apparatus comprising in combination: a cylinder having a piston shaft connected to said door for closing the same upon application of air under pressure to the cylinder, a first compressed air tank, a first conduit connecting the tank to the cylinder to supply air thereto, a main conduit connected to the tank for supplying air under pressure to the tank, a first relay valve pneumatically operable and controlling said first and main conduits, said valve having one position opening communication between the tank and cylinder to cause closure of the door and to open the main conduit of air to exhaust to atmosphere, said relay valve having another position exhausting the cylinder of air under pressure and opening the main conduit to receive air under pressure from a remote source thereof, a third conduit, a manually operable reset valve in said third conduit, said reset valve having an operating portion disposed in said chamber for initially supplying air under pressure to the first relay valve from said remote source, a plurality of interconnected branch conduits, a one-way check valve connecting said interconnected branch conduits with the main conduit, said check valve having a by-pass with a restricted bore connected across opposite ends of the check valve, a first one of the branch conduits being connected to the first relay valve to supply the same with air under pressure subsequent to initial supply by the reset valve, a second one of the branch conduit-s being connected in communication with said enclosed air space between the Walls of the safe, an exhaust valve disposed for operation by said door and connected to the second branch conduit for discharging air under pressure from said enclosed air space when the door is opened, an electropneumatically operable valve controlling said second branch conduit, the last named valve connecting said air space with the branch conduits when the valve is electrically deenergized and cutting said air space ofi from the branch conduits when the valve is energized, a second compressed air tank, an acoustic alarm device connected to the second tank, another conduit connecting said second tank to the alarm device for supplying air under pressure thereto, a second relay valve pneumatically operable and connected to a third one of said branch conduits, and a pair of other one-way check valves, said second relay valve in one position connecting the second tank with the acoustic alarm device and in another position cutting off the second tank from the alarm device and supplying the first and second tanks with air under pressure from said third branch conduit via the other one-way check valves respectively.

2. A combination according to claim 1, further comprising an electric circuit connected to said electropneumatic valve for energizing the same, a clock operated switch connected in said circuit at predetermined times when said alarm is to be deactivated and opening action of the door is to be permitted, said branch conduits being supplied with air under pressure via said bypass to compensate for leakage of air therefrom and to maintain said cylinder exhausted and the door unlocked during said predetermined times while supplying air under pressure to the relay valves and the two tanks, and whereby perforation of one of the walls of the safe opens said air space to atmosphere, exhausts said branch conduits, and effects locking of the door by said piston shaft and actuation of said alarm.

3. A combination according to claim 1, further comprising a second cylinder, a further branch conduit connected to the first named conduit and to the second cylinder, and a repellant fluid delivery tank, said second cylinder having a lever disposed to discharge the last named tank and release said repellant fluid, said second cylinder being charged with air under pressure while the door is closed to hold the lever inactive, and to activate the lever shaft to discharge the last named tank when air pressure is released from the second cylinder.

4. In a safe having joined spaced walls enclosing an air space therebetween and a door carried by said walls and providing access to a chamber defined by said walls, an alarm and protection apparatus comprising in combination: pneumatic control means for locking the door when said control means is supplied with air under pressure, a compressed air tank connected to said control means for supplying air under pressure thereto, a first relay valve means pneumatically operable to actuate said control means, a main supply conduit for compressed air from a remote source, second relay valve means pneumatically operable between two positions to control the main supply conduit to exhaust air therefrom in one of said positions and to connect the remote source to the main supply conduit in the other of said positions, a reset valve means connected to the second relay valve to set an initial supply of air to the second relay valve from the remote source, a plurality of interconnected branch conduits, a one-way check valve having a restricted bypass connected to the branch conduits to compensate for air leakage therefrom, a first one of the branch c0n duits connected to the second relay valve to supply air under pressure thereto subsequent to establishment of said initial supply, a second one of said branch conduits communicating with said air space, an exhaust valve communicating with the second branch conduit to exhaust the air space When the door is opened, another valve means controlling the second branch to connect the same to the air space and to disconnect the second branch from the air space, an acoustic alarm, a clock operated switch means for actuating the last named valve means at predetermined times when said alarm is to be deactivated, third relay valve means pneumatically operable and connected to a third one of said branch conduits, said third relay valve means being connected to said alarm and having one position wherein the alarm is actuated, and another position wherein the alarm is deactivated, and compressed air tank means connected to the third relay valve means, said third relay valve means being operable to supply air from said tank to activate the alarm through said third branch, whereby the door will be locked and the alarm will be sounded upon exhaust of air pressure from the branch conduits caused by perforation of one of the walls to open the air space to outside atmosphere, and whereby the alarm will also be sounded by unauthorized opening of the door at other times than said predetermined times.

5. A combination according to claim 4, further comprising a repellant substance delivery tank and a cylinder for containing air under pressure and having a lever disposed to discharge said substance from said delivery tank, said lever being operable when said cylinder is relieved of air pressure therein, said cylinder being connected to the branch conduits for receiving a supply of air under pressure therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

